| As the child of an aging parent, safety should always | | | | Tango your way to improved brain power and better |
| be your number one priority when contemplating | | | | balance! |
| your parents' care. Many older adults become victims | | | | Another advantage of such facilities is their varied |
| of accidents that occur right in their own homes. As | | | | exercise programs. You have to inquire as to what |
| we age, it can become increasingly difficult to walk | | | | each facility offers, but most have extensive |
| up and down stairs. Lugging heavy grocery bags can | | | | programs ranging from strength training to tango |
| be exhausting. Cooking nutritious and balanced meals | | | | lessons! |
| may prove challenging. Moreover, the long, cold | | | | We have often been told that exercise is essential to |
| winters and hot, humid summers can make getting | | | | an active and healthy old age. Patricia Mckinley, |
| out of the house quite problematic. Your parent may | | | | researcher, at McGill University, knew that motivating |
| be left feeling isolated and alone. | | | | older adults to exercise was going to require much |
| When should my parent move to an assisted living | | | | more than describing the benefits of working out. So |
| facility? | | | | she set out to find a physical activity that seniors |
| Assisted living facilities can be the perfect solution for | | | | would find FUN. She settled on the Tango. |
| people who have difficulty performing daily tasks | | | | Mckinley's findings indicate that tango dancing |
| such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, but who do | | | | improves brainpower and balance amongst older |
| not need around the clock care. Such residences can | | | | adults. Those assigned to take tango lessons not only |
| also prove to be the best alternative for people who | | | | learned the art of Argentine Tango dancing, but |
| live alone and whose quality of life is hampered | | | | improved their balance, posture and coordination in |
| because they are isolated and they have limited social | | | | comparison to a control group of walkers. |
| interaction. | | | | After only 10 weeks all participants in the study had |
| Although services do vary from one facility to the | | | | improved their scores on memory tests, but only the |
| next, most offer health and exercise programs, | | | | tango dancers had better scores on a multitasking |
| housekeeping and laundry service, transportation, | | | | test. |
| dining options, and social activities. | | | | This is fantastic news for older adults as they can |
| Such residences have a great number of physical, | | | | tango their way too good health. |
| social and emotional benefits. Many people thrive in | | | | Find a residence that complements your life style |
| such an environment, even if they did not fare well | | | | Today, there are many residential options to choose |
| living on their own. The knowledge that medical | | | | from. Your job is to find an assisted living facility that |
| attention is available on site 24 hours a day, seven | | | | best suits your parents' life style and needs. Your |
| days a week, affords both parent and child peace of | | | | choice will depend on many factors such as location, |
| mind. Assisted Living also it enables seniors to regain | | | | level of care and services, reputation of the facility, |
| their self-confidence and reclaim their lives. | | | | decor and cost. Your parents' may desire a relaxed |
| In fact, many older adults lead a much higher quality | | | | and cozy atmosphere, or they may prefer to live in |
| of life and are happier once they move to an | | | | the lap of luxury, or anything in between! |
| assisted living residence. They start eating better, | | | | Many senior residences provide a host of living |
| exercising more and enjoying the company of new | | | | options depending upon the level of care that is |
| friends. The added bonus of having staff around | | | | needed.Some homes offer independent living, |
| greatly improves their overall wellbeing as they | | | | assisted living and even programs designed for |
| ensure that residents take their medication and eat | | | | patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of |
| well. Moreover, they are in an environment that | | | | dementia. And still others offer a "continuum of care" |
| increases their opportunities for social interaction. | | | | which caters to all of the housing needs of retirees |
| Participating in group activities can give your parents | | | | from independent living to full service long term and |
| an important boost and keep them from sinking into | | | | hospice care. |
| a sedentary and lonely lifestyle. | | | | Seniors can ease their move into a senior residence |
| Friends become invaluable as we age | | | | by choosing a facility that caters to the various |
| Developing strong, intimate social networks is one of | | | | stages of aging. They can transition from an |
| the cornerstones of successful aging. Not only do | | | | independent living facility to assisted living and then to |
| close ties provide our lives with meaning and purpose, | | | | a nursing home, if needed, all within the same |
| but they are also essential to our social, emotional | | | | organization. |
| and physical wellbeing, especially as we age. Findings | | | | As we age our sense of belonging and connection |
| from a recent study conducted by Simon Fraser's | | | | becomes vital to our overall wellbeing. So when |
| gerontology research center revealed that the | | | | looking for that perfect community for mom or dad, |
| happiest seniors are those that feel a sense of | | | | make sure that it provides a blend of social, physical |
| belonging to community. According to Dr. Veronica | | | | and intellectual pursuits that nurture both body and |
| Doyle, director of the study, "it isn't how often you | | | | soul. |
| see your kids -it's how many places in the world you | | | | As always if you have any comments, suggestions |
| are a somebody". Assisted living facilities provide an | | | | or questions please do not hesitate to contact me at |
| arena for socialization and an opportunity to develop | | | | I look forward to speaking to you real soon. |
| intimate bonds. | | | | |